IVECO S-Way CNG covers over 1,000 km on a single fill

Diesel engines remain the preferred option for long-haul lorries, but IVECO aims to demonstrate that viable, and above all more sustainable, alternatives are available.

The IVECO S-Way CNG, a lorry powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), is evidence of this: it covered more than 1,000 km on a single fill.

French journalists Fabien Calvet and Loïc Fieux carried out the test under demanding real-world operating conditions, travelling between the Belgian and Spanish borders.

The achievement is even more significant because the vehicle was towing a loaded Krone semi-trailer, bringing the gross weight to around 30 tonnes.

Better than a Diesel?

According to IVECO, the S-Way CNG delivers “performance similar to that of a Diesel (lorry)”. During the trial, it recorded average consumption of under 21 kg/100 km across the more than 1,000 km completed.

The Italian manufacturer maintains that these lorries offer “performance similar to a Diesel”. Test results indicate average consumption below 21 kg/100 km over the distance travelled.

IVECO S-Way CNG xCursor 13 engine

The test vehicle was fitted with FPT Industrial’s xCursor 13 engine, producing 500 hp and 2,200 Nm of torque. This latest-generation gas engine was developed to meet forthcoming Euro VII standards and provides optimum performance between 1,000 and 1,500 rpm.

This CNG version of the IVECO S-Way uses the xCursor 13 engine made by FPT Industrial, the former FIAT Group division acquired by IVECO. It is a 12.9-litre inline six-cylinder unit which, in this specification, develops 500 hp and 2,200 Nm of torque; IVECO says it provides “optimum performance” between 1,000 rpm and 1,500 rpm.

It already complies with Euro VII requirements and features two CNG tanks, each with a capacity of 620 litres. Together, they hold 1,240 litres - equivalent to at least 190 kg - representing an 18% increase over the previous generation and a 72% improvement compared with the first Compressed Natural Gas models launched in 2011.

Improved efficiency

The IVECO S-Way CNG also incorporates several energy-management systems designed to cut consumption. These include a controlled alternator, a disconnectable air compressor and a variable-flow pump, all of which limit energy waste.

It also has a predictive GPS system, or Predictive Cruise Control, which anticipates adjustments to engine speed and recovers kinetic energy on downhill stretches, helping to optimise performance on long-distance routes.

“Having covered more than 1,000 km on a single fill, the IVECO S-Way CNG sets a new benchmark for range, efficiency and comfort,” said Giandomenico Fioretti, IVECO’s Alternative Propulsion Business Development Manager, adding that natural gas remains, in the brand’s view, “a genuine alternative to Diesel for long-distance transport”.